Control of Nonlinear Spacecraft Attitude Motion

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This course trains you in the skills needed to program specific orientation and achieve precise aiming goals for spacecraft moving through three dimensional space. First, we cover stability definitions of nonlinear dynamical systems, covering the difference between local and global stability. We then analyze and apply Lyapunov's Direct Method to prove these stability properties, and develop a nonlinear 3-axis attitude pointing control law using Lyapunov theory. Finally, we look at alternate feedback control laws and closed loop dynamics.
After this course, you will be able to...
* Differentiate between a range of nonlinear stability concepts
* Apply Lyapunov’s direct method to argue stability and convergence on a range of dynamical systems
* Develop rate and attitude error measures for a 3-axis attitude control using Lyapunov theory
* Analyze rigid body control convergence with unmodeled torque

From the lesson

Overview of Lyapunov Stability Theory

Lyapunov's direct method is employed to prove these stability properties for a nonlinear system and prove stability and convergence. The possible function definiteness is introduced which forms the building block of Lyapunov's direct method. Convenient prototype Lyapunov candidate functions are presented for rate- and state-error measures.